Suggestions needed for HS Graduation gifts!

Full disclosure: 36 years ago I confess that sent out dozens of HS graduation invitations and announcements in hopes of getting gifts.  

My kids here in Maplewood have not done the same but I am receiving invitations from children of friends' around the US.  I do not think wrap-around towels for the community baths, lap desks and George Foreman grills are as popular as they might have been at one time. 

Ideas for 2015 HS (female) graduates?  Thank you grin



Gift card for Bed, Bath and Beyond (if grad is college bound); Gift card for a restaurant in their college town; cash (probably a favorite); something from the college bookstore with the college logo on it.


Textbook costs are a huge and unwelcome surprise -- campus bookstore or Amazon gift certificates can definitely help!  [Not very appealing, I know.....]



I'd also say money or gift cards would be the most appreciated, unless you know someone has a specific interest. Even then, I'd probably go with the money or gift card.



kmk said:

Full disclosure: 36 years ago I confess that sent out dozens of HS graduation invitations and announcements in hopes of getting gifts.  

My kids here in Maplewood have not done the same but I am receiving invitations from children of friends' around the US.  I do not think wrap-around towels for the community baths, lap desks and George Foreman grills are as popular as they might have been at one time. 

Ideas for 2015 HS (female) graduates?  Thank you grin


Money in any form - gift cards, check, cash!  Always appreciated!

Re your first sentence - There are clearly regional differences in this custom.  I was surprised to learn that people here really don't send grad announcements much the way we did down south.  I had my kids do them for the relatives and southern friends but we didn't send them to people around here for that reason.     


Thank you all!!  

I have been assured from a couple of current college students that a [Insert School name here] sweatshirt and a Starbucks card and a NYC Metrocard (for the NYU student) are all "solid" gifts grin

And I was leaning towards a lovely pen and pencil set...... just kidding.


For NYC students, a Seamless card. Fancy leather goods. A phone case. A CitiBike key. ;-)  A Nutcase helmet. 


Yes--college gear from their next school is nice, or gift cards to local-to-the-school eateries that students frequent. Also, as I learned here, a Longchamp bag might make a nice gift.


how much do those fake ID drivers licenses with working magnetic strips cost?  oh oh


Oooh!

@j_r,  Seamless and Citibike keys are is a great idea!! 

@zucca, this young woman has a Longchamp bag already but they are the best! grin


How about paying for college, GIFT enough. IMHO


Gift cards are okay if they are for places/sites that the kid actually uses. Otherwise, they can be kind of a waste, especially if they lose value over time. I recall my son getting many gift cards, some for restaurants that he would never eat at or stores where he would never purchase items. There was a time that iTunes gift cards were welcomed, but I'm not sure that is still the case. Amazon might be the best idea, because they are a good source of textbooks and other items, and if the child doesn't use them, the parent can. 


several years ago, got my graduating child's friends (who we felt close to) leather passport holders engraved with their names. While I wasn't sure they would be fully appreciated at graduation time, I hoped they would be used over the years and our association would be remembered. 

@soresident, Luggage has been the (non-negotiable) HS Graduation gift from parents to children in my family for three generations!  My kids were mortified at first but now they have learned to embrace the adventure of travel grin



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